Reasonable Risks

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Reasonable-Risks.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Esther 4:7-16   I.         Increasingly I run into people who are obsessive-compulsive.             A.        It is sometimes referred to as the doubter’s disease because the sufferer is constantly plagued with uncertainty.                         1.         A person might repeatedly wash his hands because he might not have done a thorough enough cleaning earlier                         2.         Another might constantly…

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What constitutes a vow?

Question: Hi Jeffrey, What constitutes a vow is something I’ve been trying to understand. Can you help me understand from the Bible why you say it’s a commitment witnessed by others? It seems like these thoughts I have could be considered rash vows, or they could not be vows at all. I think of them…

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Can vows never be broken?

Question: I have a similar situation as some of the questions you received regarding OCD vows and also the one who sent his question about whether or not he must remain in poverty. Though, whether or not it was a passing thought is still a question for me, because I really don’t remember what happened…

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Do I have a reprobate mind?

Question: Hi, I have a few questions I hope you can answer. I will give you some background information first. My family went to a Nazarene church where I was saved and baptized around age 11 along with my sister. My parents left that church after my sister was removed from our home due to…

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I am compulsively making vows in my mind. Do I have to keep them?

Question: Hi, I have been going through a time of struggles dealing with so many vows: some intentional and others intrusive or unintentional. I am sure this is greatly related to OCD, but sometimes it doesn’t feel that way. For example, one time I was praying and an intrusive thought came in my head, “I’m…

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What is the difference between idolatry and obsessions?

Question: Hello! I just read a question answered on your website about idolatry: Is having a symbol of Christianity idolatry? In it, idolatry was defined as “anything you turn to for guidance or security.” While that makes sense, to what level of guidance and security are you describing?  You see, I still sleep with my Blankie,…

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I keep getting fearful of thoughts about Islam

Question: I am 17 years old and I have OCD. I have been struggling with thoughts that are really affecting my life. This might sound weird but I have thoughts about the religion of Islam and things that are associated with it, including the way they look and words such as Muslim, Allah, Muhammad, etc.…

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I’m having trouble not doing things I am unsure about

Question: I am having trouble not doing things that I am unsure about whether or not they are sinful, such as drinking soda, eating sweets, masturbation, and whether or not I should be playing certain card and video games. On the soda and sweets, I am wondering if I am harming my body by doing…

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I would like to encourage those who suffer from OCD-Religious or scrupulosity

Question: Hi, I’ve been poking around the Internet. I was actually trying to find an OCD support group online but without any luck. However, I was fascinated to read the postings and questions of the individual with OCD-Religious or scrupulosity because I have gone through every single thing that individual has gone through, but I am…

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